Cecil Jackson-Cole

Cecil Jackson-Cole

Biographical Details
"In 1942 he joined a group of Oxford Quakers concerned about conditions in Greece at that time. A public meeting, chaired by Canon Richard Milford, was convened in the library of the University Church and The Oxford Committee for Famine Relief was born. Cecil Jackson-Cole became the first Secretary and spear-headed the post-war growth and expansion of Oxfam as a global charity. He retained interest and involvement until his death in 1979.

"He believed in philanthropic links between business and charities. A devout Christian, he set up various charitable trusts including the Voluntary and Christian Service Trust. VCS ultimately gave rise to the charities Help the Aged (1961), the Anchor Housing Trust (1968) and Action Aid (1973).

"The shop at 17 Broad Street, established in 1947, was the first permanent Oxfam shop and also the administrative centre in the early years. New headquarters were built in Summertown in 1962 and in 2005 a second move was made to Cowley Business Park."


 * Founder, Andrews Charitable Trust